Angie's Story
Angie never felt safe at home. Her mother struggled with mental illness and addiction, and by age 11, Angie and her siblings were placed in foster care. Foster care came with its own challenges, and by 13, she left in search of a fresh start. She found a sense of…
Anonymous W's Story
She carried her identification documents, which had been shredded by her partner, to Safe Horizon. Domestic violence can take many forms beyond the physical. It often involves actions aimed at controlling an individual. “W” came to Safe Horizon’s Community Program office with a ziplock bag of shredded paper. Her and her…
Neffatiti's Story
Neffatiti lost the only family she had when her great-grandmother passed away. Neffatiti was 16 years old at the time, and shortly after, entered foster care. Neffatiti was determined to continue her education and excelled in school, despite being harassed by an older man from the neighborhood who was trying…
Ruth's Story
Ruth was part of the first group of young people who “graduated” or aged out of Streetwork when the program began over 40 years ago. When she was 13, she felt safer living on the streets than at home.
What’s at Stake for Survivors this Election
one in three people in the U.S. identifies as a survivor of violence, abuse or exploitation. This election it is crucial that we create local, state and federal policies that are compassionate, inclusive and centered on lived experiences. Every legislative and budget decision made by lawmakers impacts the lives of survivors.
Noah's Story
Noah held a toy car in each hand as his mother pushed his stroller into their Safe Horizon domestic violence shelter for the first time. Noah carried his favorite toy cars as he entered one of Safe Horizon’s domestic violence shelters. His mom, Fatimah, had made sure he had them…
Kameelah's Story
Kameelah left a violent situation and came to Safe Horizon on her due date. She brought her healthy baby girl home from the hospital in a pink onesie. Domestic violence is not limited to relationships between intimate partners. It happens at home, between family members, too. This can put the…
Celines' Story
I first came to Safe Horizon during the early stages of the pandemic. My son, Chosen, was just 11 months old and I was doing everything I could to stay healthy and strong for him, when the world outside felt incredibly unsafe. My ex-partner, who had a history of violence…
Anonymous L's Story
Without a stable place to live, he carried a sharpie, a switchblade, a spare outfit, and an empty wallet. Often when young people become homeless, it’s because they are forced to leave an unsafe situation. And they leave carrying little to nothing. “L” did everything in his power to…
Loida's Story - The Things We Carry
Loida and her partner Norman fled a labor trafficking situation. When they came to Safe Horizon they had a black duffle bag, eyeglasses, a magnifying glass, expired passports, a newspaper article about their experience, and a pair of nail clippers that had belonged to Loida’s mother, the only thing Loida…